Property Description

Unique, Spacious Bargain Property in Sicily’s Hills

Casa Carlo Alberto is a large, distinctive property which, though quintessentially Sicilian in design, is the unique product of the combination of two terraced houses. Once owned by a family of bakers, this house still features not one but two wood-burning ovens – while we often talk about a property having local character, you really can’t get much more Italian than this!

With a lovely, relaxed vendor and a price that’s an absolute bargain, Property in Sicily has no reservations about recommending this memorable house!

The House

If you have ever been tempted by the idea of renovating your own special corner of the Mediterranean, this would be a great place to start. While Casa Carlo Alberto is certainly in need of some attention, there is a lot to love about its unusual design and history.

The fusion of the two buildings has created a roomy interior totalling 130m2 of habitable space, but a slight mismatch in the floor levels is noticeable, as is a striking change in the pattern of the floor tiles. One of the original homes is a built over an archway which bridges a flight of stairs connecting two streets of this hilly town. The ceiling heights are mismatched.

Of course, any or all of this could be addressed as part of future renovations, but like the pair of pizza ovens, there’s so much that makes Casa Carlo Alberto memorable, just a little bit different – and you may want to retain some of that oddball character.

We have spoken to a local architect who has some fabulous ideas to give this property a new lease of life… keep scrolling to find out more!

Surroundings

We know that people searching for a bargain property in Sicily aren’t just coming here for the sun and sea, but for the rich culture and warm local welcome. Casa Carlo Alberto stands at the heart of Gratteri, a small community of around a thousand inhabitants. In 2019 we identified it as one of the best spots in Sicily to find great value on real estate, and since then several of our clients have swelled this number!

Gratteri lies in the beautiful Madonie hills, a natural reserve filled with biodiversity and stunning views over green hills and the sparkling sea below. Just down the road, about twenty minutes’ drive, are the sandy beaches of Lascari and Campofelice, and the famous Medieval port of Cefalù is reachable in twenty minutes. Sicily’s beautiful and fascinating capital, Palermo, is an hour away.

The beautiful villages of the Madonie are famous for the food and drink raised from the area’s fertile, nutrient-rich soil. The region is also a haven for lovers of the great outdoors, with hiking, trekking, climbing, paragliding, surfing and even skiing (in the admittedly short Sicilian winter!) firm favourites amongst tourists and locals alike.

Potential

Our consultant architect recommends reconfiguring the layout of Casa Carlo Alberto, both laterally and vertically. With fewer spaces and more even ceiling heights, this would make a roomy two bedroom home or holiday property.

They would suggest adding a large window on the top floor to increase the light and bring fresh air in summer. It would also be possible to change the configuration of the roof and create a lovely little mountian-view terrace, perfect for sunbathing in the day and al fresco dining at night.

The house is structurally sound, and any redevelopment would only be for comfort. We estimate that the cost for a light refurbishment would be around €20,000, while a full remodelling should be possible on a budget of €50,000. Remember that the tax breaks and subsidies on offer for ecologically-responsible home improvement work in Italy at the moment are absolutely fantastic! With a very reasonable asking price compared to similar properties in the area, we think Casa Carlo Alberto is a bargain property in Sicily’s best-kept secret region!